CORRESPONDING METHOD

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The invention is within the field of collecting, recycling and processing waste. More particularly, the invention relates to a recycling container for processing organic waste in situ comprising a main chamber with a waste inlet opening, and compacting means suitable for reducing the volume of the waste and shaping compacted waste units. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for processing organic waste in situ in a recycling container comprising the step of receiving in a main chamber of said container through an inlet opening, waste to be processed in said container.

In this context, it should be pointed out that in the invention the origin of the waste must not be interpreted in a limiting manner, because this origin is irrelevant for the problem which the invention seeks to solve. Therefore, waste that can be processed in the container according to the invention can come from various origins, such as municipal waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, or any other type of waste. State of the Art

In the field of the waste management, particularly municipal or industrial waste, the use of containers for collecting individual waste from a group of people or businesses is known. This collective waste is then collected and transported to recycling centers where it is suitably processed.

One of the important problems in this field consists of the known containers serving only for storing said waste. Therefore, once the user places the waste in the container, the container is nothing more than a simple storage space that is emptied periodically and according to a schedule, regardless of whether or not the container is full. This way of managing waste raises several problems, most of which are still not satisfactorily solved.

From a storage cost point of view, the waste placed in the containers of the state of the art take up considerable volume which leads to a very ineffective use of the container. In fact, a considerable part of the space that is taken up is air.

To solve this problem, solutions have been proposed such as the one disclosed in patent document ES 2190840 A1 . Patent document ES 2190840 A1 discloses a volume reducing system for municipal solid waste. It consists of a metal structure made up of an upper horizontal garbage bag pressing compartment. The upper compartment communicates with a lower compartment with means for placing the standard containers, where the already pressed garbage bags fall. It furthermore has another lower compartment containing the force and drive mechanisms. This system is used for reducing municipal garbage, aiding in collecting services, and is particularly installed in public thoroughfares, factories, hospitals, apartment complexes and similar locations.

Despite this being a first step to solve the problem that is raised, the accumulation of municipal or industrial waste raises other problems that have not even been approached as of today.

One of these problems consists of the proliferation of germs inside the container due to heat and moisture present in the waste. This waste, especially when it is organic waste, represents an ideal culture for bacteria that can be extremely harmful to public health. Attempts have been made to solve the problem by means of applying containers that prevent liquids from coming out of them. Nevertheless, this solution is not satisfactory; even though it does partially prevent bacteria from spreading, they do not disappear because every time users open a container they are exposed to these bacteria contained therein, such that contact with bacteria by users cannot always be easily prevented. On the other hand, every time a garbage truck handles and empties a container, it is possible that a small portion of the waste, especially liquids, may end up on the public thoroughfare, again aiding the uncontrolled spread of bacteria.

Another important problem consists of the waste placed in the container being simple waste. That is, this waste is waiting to be collected to be taken to the corresponding incineration, disposal or treatment and recycling centers. In other words, this waste has no value and furthermore generates a relevant cost for the municipality because it takes up space on the public thoroughfare that could be used otherwise, such as for a parking spot or the like, for example.

The fact that most waste management companies perform a highly inefficient collection process from a logistic and ecological point of view is also a relevant problem. It is common in the sector to have a fleet of trucks that periodically empty the containers following a pre-established route. Therefore, optimized management is not performed because either the container is overflowing and users place the bags around the container, or the container is still not completely full. In the first case, a situation posing a public health risk occurs again, while in the second case, logistic resources are wasted and large amount of energy is consumed due to the fuel consumption of the garbage trucks. Therefore, there is a need to perform a much more optimized waste management. Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a recycling container for processing organic waste in situ of the type indicated above, which allows providing waste having a higher added value, which allows improving logistic and energy management thereof and which reduces the public health risk raised by the waste stored on the public thoroughfare. This object is achieved by means of a recycling container of the type indicated above, characterized in that it further comprises grinding means for grinding the waste arranged in a grinding area, after the inlet opening, mixing means arranged in a mixing area, after the grinding means, and application means for applying a binding agent arranged for applying the binding agent to the waste, the mixing means and the application means for applying the binding agent being arranged for unloading the waste into the compacting means once it has been mixed and bound.

As will be seen below, the container according to the invention is applicable to any type of organic waste, i.e., not only food waste, plant waste or the like, but it can also be applied to waste containing cellulose, such as paper and cardboard.

First, the proposed recycling container allows considerably reducing the volume taken up by the waste. By means of prior grinding and application of the binding agent, a compacted waste unit with a waste volume up to 80% less than the original volume can be formed.

In the invention, a compacted waste unit relates to the shape the waste adopts after the step of compacting. Therefore, the compacted unit can be a block, for example, a cylindrical block, which in the biomass sector is usually referred to as a briquette. Nevertheless, in the more general concept of the invention, the fact that the compacted unit can have other shapes, such as pellets, for example, is not ruled out. Pellets are small bars between about 5 and 25 mm in diameter and 20 and 100 mm in length which are obtained by extrusion of the compacted waste mass and subsequently cutting.

This operating principle of the container has direct effects not only on the actual waste, but also on the management thereof. Since it takes up less space, a first option allows providing containers having smaller dimensions for one and the same use area. Alternatively, can be reduced the frequency of passing of garbage trucks, which directly affects waste management-oriented energy consumption because the lower the frequency of passing and handling of waste, the less fuel is consumed by the trucks. Furthermore, later processing of the waste in recycling centers can be eliminated as a result of the container.

Furthermore, the invention has a series of preferred features that are object of the dependent claims and the usefulness of which will be shown more clearly below in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

Another problem that the invention seeks to solve consists of obtaining a product that has a higher added value and can be distributed as soon as possible. As a result, the container preferably comprises a compacted waste storage space and said storage space comprises drying means for drying the waste once it has been compacted and stored. This provides an important synergistic effect because in addition to the beneficial effects for logistics and consumption mentioned above, the storage time of compacted waste units is taken advantage of to generate a ready-to- use product for biomass boilers right after it is collected by the trucks.

In another preferred embodiment, the waste storage space is formed by an extractable casing of the container. As a result, the casing can be the logistic biomass supply container itself, such that in high waste production areas the biomass can virtually be supplied directly to the end user after collecting the extractable casing, without the need for intermediate storage spaces.

As explained above, another relevant objective of the invention is to reduce or eliminate the risk of bacterial contamination of normal containers. As a result, in another embodiment the container further comprises application means for applying an inerting agent arranged for applying the inerting agent to said mixing area. As a result of this, the container itself is able to eliminate the bacteria that may be produced during the mixing phase. The container preferably comprises a fluid collector arranged with respect to said compacting means such that the fluids extracted from the waste with the compacting means are collected by the collector. Since these fluids have been duly inerted, the residual liquid no longer poses a public health problem even though they are stored in the container.

Nevertheless, to minimize the space taken up by the container, the fluid collector can preferably be connected to a public sewage system. As explained above, the waste liquid obtained during compacting of the organic waste is bacteriologically deactivated, such that emptying it into the public sewage system no longer poses a public health problem. Another problem considered by the invention consists of assuring correct container use. To that end, in a preferred embodiment the container comprises a receiving chamber after the inlet opening, the receiving chamber comprising detection means for detecting non-organic waste arranged after the inlet opening, and a gate operatively connected to the detection means, movable between a closed position and an access position with respect to the main chamber, depending on if the detection means detect a certain proportion of non-organic waste.

The receiving chamber preferably comprises weighing means which allow monitoring the amount of waste introduced in the container.

The invention also considers the problem of aiding the steps prior to compacting for the purpose of achieving an optimal reduction in volume. To that end, the receiving chamber preferably comprises wetting means for wetting said waste located before said grinding means. Since the level of moisture of the waste increases, grinding and later compacting thereof are simplified. For example, when the waste to be treated is paper or cardboard, it has been found that prior wetting enormously helps in its later compacting.

Finally, in a particularly preferred manner the container comprises control means for controlling the fill level of the compacted waste storage space which, when suitably applied, allows determining the optimal time to empty the container. The invention also relates to a method for processing organic waste in situ in a recycling container of the type indicated above and which solves the aforementioned problems. To that end, the method comprises the additional consecutive steps of grinding said waste, mixing the waste and applying a binding agent during mixed, compacting and shaping the waste to reduce its initial volume and forming at least one compacted waste unit and storing said at least one compacted waste unit in a storage space. Again, the method allows considerably reducing the final volume of the waste and aids in the logistics thereof by reducing processing energy consumption.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of applying an inerting agent to said waste during the mixing step in order to drain out the fluids resulting from compacting in a bacteriologically safe manner. In another embodiment, the method comprises a step of applying heat to said at least one compacted waste unit stored for the drying thereof which allows taking advantage of the storage time to produce biomass.

For the purpose of aiding in processing of the waste, especially the waste with a low water content, such as paper and cardboard, the method comprises a step of wetting said waste prior to said step of grinding.

Finally, the invention considers the problem of providing processed waste that can be used as combustible biomass. To that end, the binding agent is preferably a biodegradable glue diluted in water. As a result of this, the compacted waste units can be used as biomass without posing any environmental risk.

Likewise, the invention also has other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the attached drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention can be seen in the following description in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described in a non- limiting manner in reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view cut along line l-l of Figure 2 of a first embodiment of a recycling container according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view cut along line ll-ll of Figure 3 of the container of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows a schematic view cut along line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 of the container of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 shows a schematic view cut along line IV-IV of Figure 5 of a second embodiment of another recycling container according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view cut along line V-V of Figure 6 of the container of Figure 1 .

Figure 6 shows a schematic view cut along line VI-VI of Figure 4 of the container of Figure 1 . Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

The recycling container 1 according to the invention is intended for processing organic waste in situ, i.e., as a result of this container 1 management of this type of waste is simplified considerably. Furthermore, given its features the container 1 provides added value to management and represents a considerable change in mindset as regards recycling.

Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the container 1 . This container 1 is intended for organic waste, such as food waste, soil, plant waste or the like.

The container 1 of this first embodiment has an outer shell 40 demarcating a main chamber 2 in which all the devices for processing the waste in situ are contained. The container 1 is preferably conceived for being concealed underground. To that end, the outer shell 40 is formed from a reinforced concrete structure with 10 cm thick side walls and a 15 cm thick base.

Access to the main chamber 2 for waste disposal is done through a waste inlet opening 4 projecting from the ground and accessible by means of a gate 76 that can be operated with a pedal 78.

In this embodiment, a receiving chamber 30 is provided after the inlet opening 4. The bottom of the receiving chamber is demarcated by a gate 34 movable between a closed position, which is the position depicted in the drawings, and an access position with respect to the main chamber 2 shown through circular arcs in Figure 1 . The gate 34 is formed by two leafs. Nevertheless, it could be a single leaf or any other similar system. On the other hand, in the inlet area the container 1 also comprises detection means 32 for detecting non-organic waste that are arranged after the inlet opening 4 and schematically depicted. The objective of the detection means 32 is to detect non-organic waste, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, glass or plastic which should not be placed in an organic waste container.

The detection means 32 applied to ferrous metals are, for example, a ferromagnetic sensor. On the other hand, for non-ferrous materials, such as aluminum, inductive sensors, which allow measuring the density of the detected metal differently from the rest of the waste, are used. Glass or plastic is preferably detected by means of a laser that is able to measure light refraction when light hits the glass or plastic. The gate 34 is operatively connected to the detection means 32 to control the opening thereof. If the user tries to place a type of waste that is not organic, or if the organic waste placed therein contains unacceptable levels of non-organic waste, then the disposal of the waste may be rejected so that the user will place it in the correct container. In this case, preventing the presence of plastics is particularly relevant because these are the most contaminating elements if they are incinerated as biomass. A grinding area 10 is provided below the gate 34 where grinding means 8 formed by rotary metal cutters, operated by a first motor 42, are arranged. These cutters perform coarse grinding of the waste which is intended for aiding in later processing. A mixing area 14 in which mixing means 12 are arranged is provided below the grinding means 8. In this case, the mixing means 12 consist of cutting blades which are operated by a second motor 44. The mixing area 14 is demarcated by a fixed drum 46 which is closed in its lower part by means of drum 46 gates movable between a loading position, in which the drum 46 can be filled with ground organic waste, and an unloading position, in which the mixed waste is transferred to the compacting area. Going through the loading or unloading position of the drum gates 46 can be done by sliding along the perimeter of the drum 46, either by tilting or any other system known in the art. Furthermore, in the mixing area 14 the container 1 also comprises application means 16 for applying a binding agent 18 the purpose of which is to draw together the waste mass in order to produce combustible biomass. In a particularly preferred manner, the binding agent is a biodegradable glue diluted in water, such as, for example, cellulose glue, glue based on carbohydrates, polylactic acid or similar biodegradable adhesive products. In particular, tests performed with cellulose glue have shown that the calorific value of the compacted waste units 100 is increased.

In this mixing area 14 are also provided application means 16 for applying an inerting agent 26 applying the agent to the waste mass being processed in the mixing area 14. The inerting agent 26 used can be, for example, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite or of another type provided that it assures biodegradability conditions and that it does not contaminate aquifers at suitable dissolution levels, without losing bactericidal efficacy. As can be seen in the drawings, in this case the application means 16 are formed by spray heads applying a solution containing water, inerting agent and binding agent simultaneously. The solution is mixed in a mixer 82 from water unfit for drinking coming from a tank 50 which is preferably connected to the public system through a conduit 80. Nevertheless, none of these features is essential for the invention because the application means for applying each of the components could be separate means, such that the mixture is made during mixing. Nevertheless, application of the elements in the form of a solution improves the quality of the mixing process and later shaping. In addition, the tank 50 does not necessarily have to be connected to a public system either, but it does simplify the operating logistics of the container 1 . Having a container that is independent of the public water system and power grid is of particular interest for rural areas. As can be seen in the drawings, the mixing means 12 and the application means 16 for mixing and applying binding and inerting agents are arranged on the compacting means 6 for directly unloading the already mixed waste once it has been mixed and bound. The compacting means 6 consist of a 500 kN hydraulic cylinder operated by means of a third motor 70 and a rack and pinion assembly 72. As a result of this feature, the cylinder compacts the waste from the mixing area 14 to form compacted waste units 100 such that the volume is reduced by 80% and weight by 25% as a result of the removal of fluids. The removal of fluids, together with the added presence of the natural binding agent, allows solid and stable compacting that favors and raises the calorific combustion rate. In this case, compacted units 100 are shaped in the form of a briquette, i.e., in the form of a cylinder 30 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter, and having an estimated weight of 4 kg. The fluid extracted from the compacted units 100 exits through a microperforated filter 74 of the cylinder and is collected in a fluid collector 28 arranged below the compacting means 6. The fluid collector 28 can preferably be connected to a public sewage system. Since the fluid released from the waste was previously inerted in the mixing chamber, it can be drained out into the normal sewage system without the danger of spreading germs.

Once the cylinder has been compacted and shaped the briquette is left fall onto a first inclined plane 52 the final end of which runs into the inlet of a lift 54. The motor- operated lift 54, not shown in detail, and a chain drive pick up the briquette and lift it up to the inlet of the storage space 20 for storing compacted units 100. The storage space 20 comprises a plurality of second inclined planes 56, such that each consecutive plane is inclined in order to make the briquette slowly descend in a zigzag movement to the position of the last briquette that has previously been stored. Also at the end of each of the second inclined planes 56 there is provided a braking and driving stop 58 mounted in a tilting manner. The braking and driving stop 58 prevents the briquette from falling onto the following second inclined plane 56 at an excessive speed and therefore prevents it from breaking up. Furthermore, the stop is also responsible for driving the briquette again so that it can continue descending along the following second inclined plane 56.

Finally, in the lower area of the storage space 20, the container 1 has drying means 60 for drying the already stored compacted units 100. Drying is preferably performed by convection by projecting hot air from the bottom to the top. Nevertheless, the drying means 60 could be arranged at other points of the storage space 20. As a result of drying, a long duration of the briquettes in the storage and transport cage is assured because once they are dry they no long pose a risk for public health, nor do they break apart.

Likewise, for the purpose of preventing bad odors that may be given off during processing, an activated carbon filter 62 is provided in the upper part of the container 1 . To prevent risks of overheating in the container 1 a fan 68 is also provided for extracting the hot air generated by the drying means 60.

Filling of the container 1 is controlled by control means for controlling the fill level of the storage space 20 and such means are not shown in detail in the drawings. The container 1 shown in the drawings has a storage space 20 with a capacity of 2500 kg of biomass briquettes which, once it is filled, can be used right away. To that end, the storage space 20 is formed by a tubular, cage-like extractable casing 24. As can be seen in the drawings, the casing 24 is accessible through a door 64 and can be extracted through an anchoring 66. As a result of this configuration, the casing 24 can also be used as a logistic container because it can be taken directly from the container 1 to biomass consumers and an empty casing 24 can be exchanged for a full one. Alternatively, full casings can be sent to central biomass warehouse. Nevertheless, unlike containers of the state of the art, moving them will not be necessary until the container 1 is completely full and the central warehouse is duly informed that it must be emptied. As a result, collection is much more efficient.

To perform all the indicated functions, as well as for communication with the control center supervising the fill state, the container 1 is connected to the power grid. Nevertheless, as discussed the possibility of it being powered independently of said grid is not ruled out.

The recycling container 1 according to the invention allows putting into practice a method for processing organic waste in situ. To that end, the user first introduces the organic waste in the main chamber 2 through the inlet opening 4.

The waste falls onto the gates 34 of the receiving chamber 30 and is analyzed to determine its content. If the presence of non-organic waste or a level exceeding a certain limit is detected, the waste may not be processed and users are informed so they can remove the bag from the container 1 . Otherwise, the gates open and the waste falls onto the grinding area 10 in which grinding means 8 are operated by the first motor 42 to grind the waste.

The waste then falls into the mixing drum 46. The second motor 44 is then activated and the mixing means 12 are operated, which means simultaneously mix and continue grinding the waste. A solution containing water, binding agent and preferably an inerting agent is applied by the application means 16 during this mixing operation.

The mixing step is preferably controlled by time, but it could also be controlled by particle size. When the mixing step ends, the gates of the mixing drum 46 open and the wetted, inerted, ground and duly mixed waste falls into the hydraulic cylinder of the compacting means 6. From the position shown in Figure 2, the piston goes from the open position to the compacting position, applying up to 500 kN of closing force. Therefore, the piston compacts and shapes the waste to reduce its initial volume and to form at least one compacted waste unit 100 in the form of a briquette.

Once the briquette has been shaped, the cylinder opens and the briquette is placed on the inclined plane 52 so that it can move by itself to the lift 54. From this position the compacted waste unit 100 is stored in the storage space 20.

Finally, a preferred step of applying heat to the briquettes is provided in the storage space 20 to produce biomass that is directly combustible without additional processing.

Another embodiment of the recycling container 1 according to the invention that shares many of the features described above is described below. Therefore, hereinafter only those elements that are different will be described, while reference will be made to the description of the first embodiment for common elements.

In this second embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, the container 1 is intended for recycling and processing paper and cardboard. Obviously these products can also be used as biomass, like in the previous case.

This second container 1 differs from the former container particularly with respect to the inlet opening 4. In this case, the inlet opening 4 is much narrower and is provided with intake rollers 84 with an activation sensor 86. In this container 1 the receiving chamber 30 comprises wetting means 36 in the form of spray heads, located before the grinding means 8, responsible for wetting the cardboard or paper prior to the step of grinding to aid in the later processing thereof.

Between each of the wetting heads there are also provided rollers 38 which aid in the entrance of waste to prevent jams.

As regards the remaining features, the container 1 of the second embodiment is essentially identical to that described for the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. The embodiments herein described represent non-limiting examples, such that the person skilled in the art will understand that in addition to the examples described, multiple combinations of the claimed features are possible within the scope of the invention.

For example, it is envisaged in the described embodiments that the waste and the processing are vertical, i.e., gravity is taken advantage of for successive steps of processing. Nevertheless, it would be conceivable for the waste to move horizontally by means of a conveyor belt or the like, or horizontal and vertical movements could be combined. Also in the described embodiments, the container 1 is intended to be underground. Nevertheless, this feature is not essential either, such that it could be on the street. Likewise, application of the binding and inerting agents could also be done upstream of the process during the step of grinding.